Valley Central residents to decide bond proposal

MONTGOMERY — The sexiest selling point for the Valley Central School District's upcoming bond proposal is that it won't raise local school taxes much.

Meghan E. Murphy

MONTGOMERY — The sexiest selling point for the Valley Central School District's upcoming bond proposal is that it won't raise local school taxes much.

The district is asking voters to authorize energy efficiency and accessibility projects primarily for the high school and middle school that include insulation, heating units, windows, fire alarms and upgraded emergency lighting.

Although the improvements will cost about $7.15 million, much of that will come from the state. Construction aid is available for about $5.5 million of the project, and the district will apply to the EXCEL grant program for about $1.7 million. Taxpayers' share will translate to a tax increase of about $2 per $100,000 of home value, or an estimated total of $716,249, including interest, over 15 years.

The state created EXCEL grants in 2006 to help schools pay for construction projects. Superintendent Richard Hooley said Valley Central took its time to assess which EXCEL-qualifying projects were the highest priority. But now, it's unclear how long the money will be available, and the district wants to make sure it capitalizes on state offerings.

Valley Central School District residents now pay one of the lowest school tax rates in Orange County at $13.12 per $1,000 of full value.

A public meeting on the bond will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Valley Central Middle School cafeteria. The public can vote on the issue Jan. 15.

mmurphy@th-record.com

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